Outline of the state of Utah
State
Utah
Encouraged or Required

Category
Early Identification and Referral

Category
Early Identification and Referral

State law encourages or requires districts to implement identification and referral processes to link students and families with needed resources.

Utah Administrative Code R277-400-8. Prevention and Intervention.

(1) An LEA shall provide a school comprehensive violence prevention and intervention strategies as part of a school's regular curriculum including:

  • (a) resource lessons and materials on anger management;
  • (b) conflict resolution; and
  • (c) respect for diversity and other cultures.

(2) As part of a violence prevention and intervention strategy in subsection (1), a school may provide age-appropriate instruction on firearm safety including appropriate steps to take if a student sees a firearm or facsimile in school.

(3) An LEA shall also develop or incorporate to the extent resources permit:

  • (a) care teams;
  • (b) tiered student assistance programs;
  • (c) social-emotional learning;
  • (d) support though multi-disciplinary teams, such as care teams, that may:
  • (i) review school safety related data;
  • (ii) conduct threat assessments;
  • (iii) consult on case-specific interventions and disciplinary actions;
  • (iv) involve parents in the intervention process; and
  • (v) suggest referrals to resources as appropriate;

(4) An LEA's multi-disciplinary school team as described in Subsection R277-400-8(3) may include:

  • (a) administration personnel;
  • (b) local law enforcement or a school resource officer;
  • (c) a mental health professional; and
  • (d) a general education or special education teacher.

(5) In developing student assistance programs, an LEA may coordinate with other state agencies and the Superintendent.

Policy Type
Regulation

Utah Code 53F-2-415. Student health and counseling support - Qualifying personnel - Distribution formula - Rulemaking.

(1) As used in this section, “qualifying personnel” means a school counselor or other counselor, school psychologist or other psychologist, school social worker or other social worker, or school nurse who:

  • (a) is licensed; and
  • (b) collaborates with educators and a student’s parent on:
  • (i) early identification and intervention of the student’s academic and mental health needs; and
  • (ii) removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for the student’s academic achievement.

(2)

  • (a) Subject to legislative appropriations, and in accordance with Subsection (2)(b), the state board shall distribute money appropriated under this section to LEAs to provide in a school targeted school-based mental health support, including clinical services and trauma-informed care, through employing or entering into contracts for services provided by qualifying personnel.
  • (b)
  • (i) The state board shall, after consulting with LEA governing boards, develop a formula to distribute money appropriated under this section to LEAs.
  • (ii) The state board shall ensure that the formula described in Subsection (2)(b)(i) incentivizes an LEA to provide school-based mental health support in collaboration with the local mental health authority of the county in which the LEA is located.

(3) To qualify for money under this section, an LEA shall submit to the state board a plan that includes:

  • (a) measurable goals approved by the LEA governing board on improving student safety, student engagement, school culture, or academic achievement;
  • (b) how the LEA intends to meet the goals described in Subsection (3)(a) through the use of the money;
  • (c) how the LEA is meeting the requirements related to parent education described in Section 53G-9-703; and
  • (d) whether the LEA intends to provide school-based mental health support in collaboration with the local mental health authority of the county in which the LEA is located.
Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-8-802. State Safety and Support Program — State board duties.

(2) The state board shall:

  • (a) develop in conjunction with the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health model student safety and support policies for an LEA, including:
  • (i) evidence-based procedures for the assessment of and intervention with an individual whose behavior poses a threat to school safety;
  • (ii) procedures for referrals to law enforcement; and
  • (iii) procedures for referrals to a community services entity, a family support organization, or a health care provider for evaluation or treatment
Policy Type
Statute

Utah Code 53G-9-203. Definitions -- School personnel -- Medical recommendations -- Exceptions -- Penalties.

(2) School personnel may:

  • (a) provide information and observations to a student's parent about that student, including observations and concerns in the following areas:

  • (i) progress;

  • (ii) health and wellness;

  • (iii) social interactions;

  • (iv) behavior; or

  • (v) topics consistent with Subsection 53E-9-203(6);

  • (b) communicate information and observations between school personnel regarding a child;

  • (c) refer students to other appropriate school personnel and agents, consistent with local school board or charter school policy, including referrals and communication with a school counselor or other mental health professionals working within the school system;

  • (d) consult or use appropriate health care professionals in the event of an emergency while the student is at school, consistent with the student emergency information provided at student enrollment;

  • (e) exercise their authority relating to the placement within the school or readmission of a child who may be or has been suspended or expelled for a violation of Section 53G-8-205; and

  • (f) complete a behavioral health evaluation form if requested by a student's parent to provide information to a licensed physician or physician assistant.

Policy Type
Statute